NOVEL NEXT Chapter 138: Everyone Moves
It wasn't because of him, but how could Richard not worry when Sister Lisa was kidnapped?
He finally realized how dominant the Order of the Crimson Veil truly was.
"Your Majesty, where is the Lord of the Crimson Veil?" Richard asked.
He was sure that man couldn't be too far away. He wasn't an Ancient Sovereign, nor even a Ruler—his strength was still far from being able to tear through space-time.
"In Moon Town. It's the nearest small city to the capital," the Empress replied.
"Richard, even though you have powerful backers, facing the Order of the Crimson Veil is no simple matter. They are one of the top factions in the entire world and have a Magus who is truly terrifying. Even with your supporters, they won't be easy to deal with. If you wish to save your caretaker, there's another way. The Lord of the Crimson Veil desires to recruit you into his Order. If you join them, he will surely release your caretaker and find another way to pressure Lilith."
"That's impossible," Richard replied immediately.
After saying that, he stepped down from the carriage.
He had no intention of searching for Athena again and directly flew away on his airship, heading swiftly toward the direction of the rising moon.
During his stay in the capital, he had heard of Moon Town, so he knew the direction clearly.
If it were the entire Order of the Crimson Veil, even the combined support of the Fire Spirit Queen and his ancestor might not be enough.
But he only needed to face the Lord of the Crimson Veil. That wasn't a serious problem at all.
Everything else could be thought about later. After all, he still had the Skylight Clan as his backing.
The airship quickly left the capital behind. Richard sat on the deck with a serious expression, eager to arrive as soon as possible.
He planned to summon the Fire Spirit Queen and ask her to personally control the airship for faster travel.
But just as his airship entered the skies above a silent forest, a figure with golden hair suddenly appeared in front of it, wearing a wide, cold grin.
"Boy, where do you think you're going?" the man said icily, his sharp eyes filled with killing intent.
No, he wasn't alone—an old bald man in a crimson robe stood beside him, looking rather pleased.
With their flight ability, both landed easily on the airship's deck.
"Hahaha, boy, I want to see if you can still act arrogant now," the old bald man sneered.
Richard couldn't care less. His gaze only rested on the blond man—Charles.
"What took you so long? I've been waiting. Honestly, you're too much of a coward. If I were you, I'd have robbed me long ago, even inside the city," Richard mocked, his words only worsening Charles's expression.
"Mm, what a coincidence. I think I can take you as a hostage and exchange you for Sister Lisa..." Richard suddenly came up with the idea, realizing that rescuing her directly from the Lord of the Crimson Veil wouldn't be easy—even with overwhelming power.
That man was the leader of a major faction, surely possessing methods to instantly kill his captive even if he himself were rendered helpless.
"Arrogant brat!" The bald man stomped hard on the deck.
"Boy, if you wish to live, hand over the Dragon Knight's inheritance to us!" he roared.
Every time he opened his mouth, Richard lost more interest in talking.
He opened a portal to the Dragon Hall and commanded the Fire Spirit Queen to come forth.
Naturally, the woman appeared immediately—she had never been asleep inside the Dragon Hall.
Her beauty was breathtaking. Even without releasing her aura, Charles and the bald man froze in shock, instinctively growing wary.
"He has a Hidden World," the bald man muttered, still not realizing how powerful the Fire Spirit Queen truly was. On the surface, she appeared just like a normal human.
"Queen, kill the bald one and capture the other," Richard ordered casually.
Even now, he remained seated, not feeling the need to rise.
Each time he gave orders, the Fire Spirit Queen would frown slightly.
Still, she stepped forward.
The bald man seemed about to speak again, but as she took that step, his mouth opened—and then froze, unable to utter a single sound.
His mouth stayed wide open, stretching slightly beyond its natural limit.
Buzz!
His body suddenly ignited, flames consuming him instantly. In just a moment, he was reduced to ashes, scattered by the wind.
Richard was momentarily stunned, thinking, That's too powerful.
Bang!
Charles's body was pulled violently through the air and slammed down in front of Richard, his head bleeding.
"You..." he muttered, unable to believe what had just happened.
In his mind, Richard indeed had something to rely on—but he never expected the person beside him to be this terrifyingly strong.
Charles had always been confident in his power. Even against his own teacher, he could at least endure one or two exchanges.
But before this woman, he was utterly helpless.
After all, she had just reduced the bald man—a senior elder of the Order of the Crimson Veil, even stronger than Charles—into ashes within seconds.
"Boy, what else do you want me to do?" the Fire Spirit Queen asked suddenly, clearly impatient with being ordered around and wanting to finish quickly so she could return to solitude.
Since she spoke, Richard could no longer be bothered to look at Charles.
That man no longer qualified for his attention.
Unfortunately, he still needed him alive to exchange for Sister Lisa.
"Do you see that small city ahead?" Richard asked.
The Fire Spirit Queen gave a light nod.
"Then take me there right now," he ordered.
Whoosh!
The space before the airship tore open, and the vessel automatically entered the rift.
Moments later, it emerged again—above a small city about the size of Apple Town, yet far more prosperous, filled with grand, luxurious buildings.